Cleanin' up!

Do you ever see pictures in magazines or on blogs with beautiful homes and apartments that just seem so perfectly clean and organized all the time? And you feel like a slob or failure for not being able to keep your place as impeccably clean?
Well, sometimes, I do!
I'm not perfect. I LIVE in my apartment. WE live in our apartment. We work, cook, make a mess, etc. We also clean, but it doesn't stay clean for long or forever because of the reasons I just listed.


Today, I will take you on a tour of our incredibly messy apartment as I go through and clean it. Why? To show the world how normal, every-day-people live.

We'll start with the bedroom...

Before:
You may notice we have pretty much nothing on the walls. I'm working on it!!

After:

I admit. Our bedroom is incredibly boring. We keep our bureau's in the closets, so it looks bare. That corner with the table? I've had plans for almost a year to turn it into a comfy chair with a light for reading. Still hasn't happened...

I definitely think we need a few things to spruce up the bedroom. For one, art on the walls. I am thinking of getting a couple of framed prints of our engagement session, but would that be cheesy to hang in the bedroom?
In addition to the chair with light and bookcase for me, I would love a bed frame and headboard. I think it would just make it feel much more like a bedroom. Also, does anyone else agree that Mirza needs a nightstand and light? He said he doesn't, but for the symmetry alone...

Bathroom #1

Before:

After:

Dining area.

Before:

After:

Kitchen.

Before:

This actually wasn't as bad as it could have been. Our kitchen never stays clean. We use it too much! That's a good thing, right?

After:

Living Room:

Before:

After:

A few things: When the tree is gone, that's all blank, white space. I'd like to get a a book shelf or cupboard with glass doors for my mom's tea cups...something! I also hate that coffee table. It was hand-me down I've had since my first apartment. I'd like a more grown-up piece; something wood. Any suggestions?

Note: We do not own the TV. It comes with our apartment mounted to the wall. Pretty sweet, right?

Music room:

Before:

Also known as: WTF happened in here??

 Oh.my...

After:

Ah, much better.

This room took me the longest. I didn't photograph the closet, but it's much more organized now. In addition, Mirza's desk? That man doesn't throw away anything. We're the complete opposite. I throw out everything. Nothing is safe.

Bathroom #2

Before:

Yikes!!

After:

I didn't make it to the laundry room or porch. They will have to wait until next time.

So, there you have it. Embarrassing photos of my messy apartment.

I dream of one day owning a beautiful home with a big kitchen full of windows, nice lighting, a great island, and tons of counter space where my vitamix can sit out at all times. 

For now, I am stuck in my 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment.

I'd love ideas on making a smaller space more functional without adding tons of furniture. I hate when every wall has a piece of furniture up against it!